Peter Johnstone is described in the monumental ‘Alphabet of the Celts’ book as an all-time Celtic great. The former miner from the west of Fife who came to the club in 1908 from Glencraig Celtic and established himself in the heart of one of the club’s greatest defences. One newspaper wrote of him in 1913: “Celtic fans idolise Peter Johnstone . . . a lion’s courage . . . has played in almost every position . . . never let the side down.”

Peter won League Championships with Celtic in 1910, 1914, 1915, 1916. In the latter two years he had returned to work in the mines when not playing as part of the war effort: the first World War started on 28th July 1914. Although the club won a fourth successive title in 1917 Peter made only two appearances that season after volunteering to join the war and being sent to the front in France.

He died in the Battle of Arras and lies in an unmarked grave. He was survived by his wife and two children.

At the height of his football fame in July 1913 Celtic fan John Conway from Bridgeton wrote this poem in praise of Peter: